In all of these, UNICEF noted that 16 children
had died while 200 others were still missing.
This development, the global body pointed out
was scaring away no fewer than one million children from resuming schools in
most parts of the country where schools are expected to be open for academic
activities after the break.
According to statement by UNICEF
Representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, yesterday, “the excitement of
children returning to school at resumption is being stollen for these Nigerian
children as insecurity threatens their safety and education.”
He added: “It is unacceptable that communities
should be worried to send their children over fears they will be abducted from
what should be a safe space.”
He also decried a situation where children are
afraid of returning to their friends and classrooms adding, “the insecurity
must end so that children can return to their normal lives and benefit from all
the important things being in school brings to them.”
Hawkins noted that, “the first day of school
is a landmark moment in a child’s life, setting them off on a life changing
path of personal learning and growth.”
He regretted however that, “for so many Nigerian
children whose education already suffered during Covid-19 lockdown, that
important day has been indefinitely postponed and for many children still
missing, it is unclear when they will ever come back home or enter classroom
again.”
Hawkins further stated: “For the most
vulnerable children, including children affected by conflict, girl children and
children with disabilities, their risk of never stepping into a classroom in
their lifetime is skyrocketing.
“We need to end this insecurity and make our
priorities clear, that Nigerian children can and must be allowed to benefit
from an education in a safe space.”
It added: “While countries worldwide,
including Nigeria, are taking some actions to provide remote learning, many
students are not being reached.
“In addition to lack of assets for remote
learning, the youngest children may not be able to participate due to a lack of
support using the technology, a poor learning environment, pressure to do
household chores, or being forced to work.
“Studies have shown that positive school
experiences are a predictor of children’s future social, emotional and
educational outcomes.
“Children who fall behind in learning during
the early years often stay behind for the remaining time they spend in school,
and the gap widens over the years. The number of years of education a child
receives also directly affects their future earnings.
“Every hour a child spends in the classroom is
precious, an opportunity to expand their horizons, maximise their potential and
build their country’s future. With each passing moment, countless amounts of
opportunity are lost,” Hawkins added.
According to him, “We must put our children’s
future first. We can and must tackle the insecurity, stop attacks on education,
and keep schools open. The clock is ticking for our young students.”
Unless mitigation measures are implemented,
the World Bank estimates a loss of $10 trillion in earnings over time for this
entire generation of students globally.
“Existing evidence shows the cost of
addressing learning gaps are lower and more effective when they are tackled
earlier, and that investments in education support economic recovery, growth
and prosperity.
“UNICEF is urging governments to reopen
schools for in-person learning as soon as possible, and to provide a
comprehensive recovery response for students.
“Together with the World Bank and UNESCO,
UNICEF is calling for governments to focus on three key priorities for recovery
in schools,” he added.
0 comments:
Post a Comment